Angel of Mine (24 page)

The intricate design of the silver and gold ribbon looks so pretty it feels a shame to undo it. Mum helps my fumbling fingers, then reaches up to tie it around the back of my ponytail in a bow like she used to do when I was little.

Gently, I tear away at the paper and reveal a photo album underneath. We sit and look through it together. She put endless time and effort into this gift. She has chronologically displayed important moments throughout my life.

She places her hand over mine, and I pause, looking down at the current picture, remembering when she took it. I’m sitting on a couch surrounded by popcorn, lollies, and chocolate. There is a stack of movies on the table and I am making a silly face into the camera.

I remember that day well. I finally learned all about what my mother referred to at the time as ‘my monthly friend.’ I don’t know what’s so bloody friendly about it though.

Mum found me in tears in the bathroom. I’d been in there for hours and she finally coaxed me out and explained it all to me. We spent the day overindulging on junk food and watching romances.

“My little girl, you’ve grown up so quickly.” She pulls me to her and holds me close as we finish the album. Theo comes back in the room and she kisses me on the forehead, “I love you baby girl. If I could find a way for you to be able to fill hundreds more photo albums you know I would.”

“I know Mum. I love you too. Thanks for the present, it’s beautiful.” I squeeze her tight then release her and she gets up to leave.

“Pancakes are up,” Theo tells her as she passes.

“Blueberry, Mum’s specialty,” he informs me. They must still be hot because steam is rising off the plate, bringing with it a smell of buttery goodness. The mattress sinks as he sits down beside me and starts to pour syrup over the top of them. Before I get a chance to pick one up for myself, Theo breaks off a piece and holds it right up to my lips.

The soft fluffy texture hits my tongue and an explosion of blueberry flavour breaks out across my tastebuds.
Yum.
My eyes roll to the back of my head. Men from romance novels and movies really do exist. One of them is sitting right here with me, literally hand feeding me. I can’t help but swoon and consider myself the luckiest woman on earth.

“So good,” I moan between mouthfuls. Theo chuckles and fixates on the sight of me eating. It really is that good. I’m not even embarrassed that he studies me so acutely.

When I have finished every last piece, he places the plate on the bedside table out of the way, and picks me up in his arms. “Ahhh, what are you doing?” Is my first reaction, then as I draw nearer to his face, I whisper about an inch away from his mouth, “Hi.” That’s all that I can come up with as I concentrate on full pink lips and the delicious smell of coffee on his breath.

Lifting up that extra distance, I swipe my tongue over his tempting lips, just for a small taste. His pupils dilate so much they almost cover his whole eyes, pure molten black scorching my skin, eating me alive with his look alone.

His lips press into mine; devouring me like he can’t get close enough. Demanding yet slow, taking his time exploring every inch of my mouth. When he pulls away, he is breathless and I am left panting for more.

I’m briefly disappointed as he places me down on the chair in front of his dresser and moves away from me, but not for long when he comes back with a jewellery box in his hands.

There’s a mischievous gleam in his eyes and that green colour I love is back, twinkling and lighting up his face. Perfect white teeth show through a gorgeous smile, and he opens the lid to present the most exquisite necklace I have ever seen.

A purple stone sits in an intricate setting of silver woven all around it in an old fashioned but timeless way. It takes my breath away. Rustic, just my style, it’s perfect.

He turns me to face the mirror and drapes it carefully around my neck, then does up the clasp. “The stone is Amethyst,” he tells me as I run my fingers over it. The weight of it sits just beneath that little hollow and it feels cool against my skin. As I admire my reflection in the mirror, the purple crystal sparkles back at me, the facets glinting in the light.

“I was told it has healing powers.” His hands graze along my collarbone, leaving a heated trail; he meets my eyes in the glass. “I never used to believe in miracles Ally. Then I met you. Now it’s like a new one is revealed before my eyes every minute of every day.”

My eyes glaze over at his heartfelt words, but I stare back, refusing to break the connection. “Happy birthday angel, never give up hope.” Then he leans down ever so slightly, lips lingering over the side of my neck and heating my skin. He brushes my hair away and kisses me tenderly. Then he envelops me in his arms, closes his eyes, and just holds me as if I am more precious than the magnificent gem that I now wear.

“It’s stunning. Thank you,” I continue to stare at my reflection, transfixed by the beauty of it.

“Not as beautiful as the person who wears it.” Sincerity fills his words and I melt and look up at him. A serious face stares back at me. “I couldn’t find a piece of jewellery exquisite enough to match your beauty. I don’t think such a piece exists. I’m glad you like it.”

Okay, he isn’t LIKE a man out of a romance novel or book, I think he actually IS one. No, seriously, he must have jumped right out of the pages or through the screen and this is some sort of parallel universe.

“My teeth are starting to hurt you’re so damn sweet,” I joke. “I totally love it though, my boyfriend is adorable.”

He smirks down at me. “I think the words you are looking for are sexy and charming, not adorable, it sounds too cute for a guy. Don’t forget muscular, great smile, good kisser...”

What an ego, I smack him playfully on the butt to bring him down a peg or two, and can’t help but cop a feel while I’m there.

“Don’t get too carried away babe, we have places to go today. I have a surprise for you.” Now he has my attention back, I sit up straighter as he removes my groping hand from his behind.

He captures both my shoulders in his hands and squeezes lightly before continuing. “When I was sick I tried to live every day like it was my last. I want you to experience as much as you can in life. I want to fill your days with enough joy to last fifty life times. Everything you want out of life I want you to write it down, and we will do it. Think of what you would want if time weren’t an issue. Today I’m going to kick things off for you.” He pauses for dramatic effect. When I get antsy in anticipation, he finally replies. “We are going bungee jumping.” My mouth drops in shock. I thought going to a park was exciting once upon a time; look at where my life has led me now. I think I might wet my pants, but I’m not sure just yet if it is in excitement or fear. At least he said ‘we.’ While Theo is with me, I can do anything.

The instructor has strapped Theo and me together and he holds my quivering frame against his firm body. He feels safe and I try to relax into him. Everything will be okay, I trust him. Deep breaths, in and out, in and out.

This is something I want to experience, and it’s good we are able to do a tandem jump because there is no way I can step off that ledge by myself. It’s another opportunity I don’t want to let go to waste.

Theo’s warm breaths tickle my neck and mix with his sweet words. He whispers in my ear and it helps to calm my nerves. “You’re so brave Ally, you can do this. I believe in you.”

The rope around my waist is thick. The coarse material runs through my hand. I tug on it to double check it’s on tight, and then brace myself. “Okay, let’s do this.”

A surprising calm takes over me as we step up to the ledge and I peek over at the jagged rocks scattered throughout the raging river below. My heart beats evenly. I expected it to be going a million miles a minute by now. Sweat coats my palms though, and I freeze up. Maybe that’s why my heartbeat is slow, it’s about to freeze up too. It’s almost literally scared to death, and shrinking in my chest, trying to cower away from this crazy idea. Blip, blip, blip.

“On three okay angel? 1, 2...” Then he steps over the edge for both of us, “Threeeeeeee.” His words get lost in the rush of air. Suddenly we are free falling. The wind speeds past us, around us, and it feels like through us too. My body presses against Theo’s making me feel protected, even though the danger below is coming closer at a rapid pace.

The skin on my face is pulled backwards with the gravity, making my mouth huge and my eyes wide, regardless of the dorky goggles I wear. Despite all this, I feel exhilarated, alive. Theo knew exactly what I needed, and I love him all the more for it.

“Wooooohooooooooo,” I love the sting the effort of this scream causes my lungs, making me feel the moment even more. My hands dip into the water before we snap back up.

Eventually we come to a stop, and they pull us back up to the top. Full of adrenalin, I bounce up and down on my feet as we walk off the platform and back onto solid ground. “That was amazing. What a rush.” My smile is so wide my face hurts, and I press my hands up to my cheeks, rubbing them a moment.

I really want to do that again. “What’s next?” I ask. “Jumping out of a plane? Rock climbing?”

Theo chuckles at my eagerness and draws me into his side for a hug. “Look at you my little fearless warrior. Write it all down for me and we will do it, but for now, I have another surprise.”

Best birthday ever
. I clap my hands with glee and try to suppress giggling like a schoolgirl. After all, I am eighteen now.

“So where to now?” The curiosity is killing me.

“Not a chance sweetheart. I told you, it’s a surprise.” A mischievous grin comes over his face and he reaches over to the glove compartment and pulls out a scarf. “In fact, I’m going to blindfold you.” A glint of amusement flickers through his eyes. He is enjoying this way too much, but that’s okay because I am too.

The smooth silky material covers my eyes, and if I leave them open, all I see is lime green. We go through a drive-thru somewhere nearby because I hear Theo order me a burger and fries and the unmistakable smell of delicious greasy take out fills my nose.

The wrapper from the burger crinkles as he pulls it back and passes it to me. “Can I take off my blindfold while I eat? I can’t see what I’m doing.” The anticipation of where we are going is making me crazy, maybe if I can coax him into letting me take off the blindfold I will get a clue.

“Your gorgeous mouth is in the exact same spot as always, you don’t need to see.”
Damn. Was worth a shot
. “I’m sure you will survive, I wouldn’t want to go ruining the surprise now, would I?”

I can hear his grin through his words. “You are enjoying watching me squirm aren’t you?”

“You know it,” he laughs aloud this time.

“Humph.” I huff in mock annoyance, but secretly love it. Melted cheesy goodness fills my mouth as I sink my teeth into my burger. Unfortunately, sauce also drips down my chin.
Superb
. It’s tricky not to make a mess when eating while blindfolded.

Theo wipes away the sauce with his finger and presses it to my lips. I swipe my tongue across the tip to lick it off. He groans audibly beside me, and in my good mood, I become a little daring and suck lightly on his finger. He pulls it out of my mouth and I hear him shift in his seat. “Now who’s making who squirm?” He chuckles.

After we finish eating, he holds my hand in his, occasionally pulling it away to change gears and after about twenty minutes, he finally stops the car and guides me to my destination.

A bell jangles above as we go through a door and I hear soft music and voices around me, and I think a hairdryer. He takes the blindfold off and I’m in the middle of a day spa. Excitement flutters in my stomach and I smile wide. This day is making me feel giddy.

“I wanted to have you pampered and feeling like a princess for your birthday. I’m going to leave you in the spa’s capable hands and duck out to do a few things, and then come back for you.” He places his hand on my lower back and guides me to the counter.

Is it vain of me in this moment to wonder if I will have to have chemo and lose my hair? I should have bigger concerns, but being here makes the thought flash across my mind. It only stays for an instant though before my focus moves to somewhere else.